Jeff McNeil needed just one pitch in the tenth inning to send the Mets home happy, delivering a walk-off single to right that capped New York’s 5-4 comeback win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night at Citi Field.
Down 3-0 early and 4-2 in the eighth, the Mets (43-24) clawed back late. Juan Soto sparked the rally with an RBI double that plated Starling Marte, and Pete Alonso followed with a game-tying shot off the left-field wall. Though Alonso was tagged out after oversliding second, the damage was done. In extras, McNeil, who extended his on-base streak to 13 games, dunked a soft liner into right field to score pinch-runner Luisangel Acuña and secure the win.
The bullpen kept the game within reach all night. José Butto, José Castillo, and Justin Garza combined to escape multiple jams, with Garza making a sharp Mets debut by striking out two in a crucial eighth-inning hold. Edwin Díaz and Reed Garrett shut down the ninth and 10th innings, respectively, with Garrett stranding the ghost runner.
Starter Griffin Canning allowed four runs across 5.1 innings, including a pair of homers to CJ Abrams, but settled in after early trouble. His outing marked the 66th time in 67 games that a Mets starter allowed four runs or fewer.
Soto homered and drove in two runs against his former team, while McNeil went 2-for-5 with two RBI.
The Mets go for another series win on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. with David Peterson on the bump.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].